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Self-care

Persons with Disabilities due to leprosy, though treated with adequate Multi Drug Therapy and Cured medically, are not only prone to develop secondary impairments but there is also a risk of subsequent worsening of their disabilities over time, thus affecting their quality of life. Persons suffering from disabilities of Gr 1 (anesthetic hands and feet), can be prevented from becoming Gr 2(ulcers etc) by adopting simple self-care practice at home or in groups along with personal health and hygiene.

In order to enable, the persons affected by Leprosy, to take care of their disabilities and to prevent further worsening and restore their social life, NLRF-India is continuing support the district nucleus staff in the formation, monitoring and supervision of “Self Care Groups” in Leprosy colonies.

Before Self-Care After Self-Care

Persons with Disabilities due to leprosy, though treated with adequate Multi Drug Therapy and Cured medically, are not only prone to develop secondary impairments but there is also a risk of subsequent worsening of their disabilities over time, thus affecting their quality of life. Persons suffering from disabilities of Gr 1 (anesthetic hands and feet), can be prevented from becoming Gr 2 (contractures of fingers, ulcers etc) by adopting simple self-care practice at home or in groups along with personal health and hygiene. NLRF provides training in self-care practice to these persons through General Health Care staff in order to prevent secondary impairments and disability. More than 5000 persons have been trained to practice self-care procedures and thus recurrence of planter ulcers is prevented, stiff fingers become soft & supple to function better and blindness is prevented.

Self-Care Groups in leprosy colonies
By December 2013, 143 colonies in all 6 NLR supported states, were provided support benefiting 3187 persons. 387 Self Care Groups already developed were sustained & strengthened. It includes 19 colonies in districts supported by other ILEP partners. Details are as under:

S.N.

States

No. of Leprosy colonies in NLR supported Districts

SCG practice started in no. of colonies

No. of SCG formed

Beneficiaries till date

1

Uttarakhand

29

29

92

835

2

Uttar Pradesh*

2+30

32

87

637

3

Bihar*

17+5

22

42

282

4

Jharkhand

37

33

87

782

5

West Bengal

22

21

56

450

6

Delhi

06

06

23

201

-

Total

148

143

387

3187

Self-care groups at PHC, for persons from villages:
Support to persons affected living in villages, started in 2010. With additions of blocks and persons affected each year 439 persons from 16 Blocks were added in the year 2013. By 2013, a total of 2156 persons living in 77 blocks of states of UP, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Uttarakhand were given training in self-care and material support at different Primary Health Centers (PHCs). This was carried out by involving GHC staff supervised by NLR. State wise, distribution of 2156 persons, practicing self-care in their villages, are as under: